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Several Class 2A records were set as Wheeler defeated Linton-Stockton 8-7 to capture the school’s first softball state title at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis.

It was the second state championship of 2009-10 for the Porter County school which had never won one before this school year. Wheeler claimed the 2A title in boys basketball in March.

The Bearcats led off the first inning with a single up the middle by senior Mackenzie Ness that plated senior Marcy Medina for the first score of the game.

Linton-Stockton answered quickly, scoring an IHSAA Class 2A record six runs in one inning. With two outs in the bottom of the second inning, junior Katie West singled, putting one runner on base for the Miners.  A walk for senior Jenica Ringo advanced West to second, and a single to third by freshman Courtney Barnes loaded the bases for freshman Joie Gadberry.  Gadberry tripled to right center, bringing in three Miner baserunners.  Linton-Stockton continued to push, turning in three more runs before ending the inning with a 6-1 lead.

Wheeler countered in the top of third with four runs that featured a double by sophomore Whitney Mass and single from senior Kylie Planck provided enough offense to put the Bearcats back within reach.

Linton-Stockton added another run when Courtney Barnes singled to bring in Katie West, making it a three-run lead for the Miners.

It was all Wheeler from that point on, as senior Emma Farlow singled up the middle to start of the fourth inning.  Singles by Planck and Medina scored junior Meghan Zappia and Farlow, and Planck crossed the plate on a throwing error; the three runs were all the Bearcats needed.

Wheeler (31-2) was led by head coach Marc Bruner, in his second year with the Bearcats. Seventh-year head coach Jill Flater led the Miners (26-1) to their second straight runner-up finish.

Several Class 2A records were established, among them: Most Combined Runs (15 total; 8 by Wheeler, 7 by Linton-Stockton), Most Combined Runs Batted In (11 total; 5 by Wheeler, 6 by Linton-Stockton), and Most Runs in an Inning (6, Linton-Stockton).

STEPHANIE FOUGEROUSSE OF LINTON-STOCKTON WINS MENTAL ATTITUDE AWARD
Stephanie Fougerousse of Linton-Stockton High School was recognized by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee as this year’s recipient of the Mental Attitude Award in Class 2A softball.

The four-year letterwinner was named to the 2010 All State and Academic All State teams and was voted as the Bloomington Herald Times “Player of the Year” for softball.  Fougerousse was a member of Linton-Stockton’s state runner up squad in 2009.

Stephanie is the vice-president of the National Honors Society and has taken part in the Business Professionals of America leadership conferences.  She is ranked third in her class.

The talented Miner has volunteered her time as the head coach of a youth travel softball team, and has also offered hitting and pitching instruction for young softball players active in the Clover Organization.

She was admitted to the honors program at Indiana State University, where she will study Pre-Medicine.

Stephanie is the daughter of Mike and Ruan Fougerousse of Switz City.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Linton-Stockton High School in the name of Stephanie Fougerousse.